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Fall and football season are in full swing, and Halloween is hiding right around the corner. While the cooler temperatures are a relief from the oppressive heat in LaGrange, Georgia, allergy sufferers aren’t rejoicing for joy just yet. To improve your quality of life and breathe easier at home this fall, keep your home’s air as clean as possible.

Change Your Air Filter to Deter Dust Buildup

Your HVAC system’s filter cleans the air that circulates throughout it, trapping and holding many types of particles that impact health and comfort. This includes dust, pollen and pet dander. But when it’s filthy, it pushes those contaminants right back into your home. To avoid polluted indoor air, change your air filter at least every three months.
In the news: Scientists have recently found that household dust harbors toxic chemicals that have been linked to an increased risk to cancer in adults and developmental problems in babies. The toxic chemicals are shed from a range of common household items, including electrical goods, beauty products and cleaning supplies.

Eliminate Ragweed With an Air Cleaner

If you’re an allergy sufferer, you likely already know how much ragweed can haunt you during the fall. During its peak growing season, a single ragweed plant produces a billion pollen grains, which can travel up to 400 miles in the wind. While an HVAC filter helps reduce allergy symptoms, an air cleaner works even harder to eliminate ragweed.

Use a Whole-Home Dehumidifier to Prevent Mold

Georgia is known for its hot summers that increase at-home humidity. Too much humidity in your home can encourage mold growth. High humidity can also make your HVAC system work harder and cost you more in monthly utility costs. With a whole-home dehumidifier, you’ll ensure your home’s humidity is within a healthy range of 40 to 60 percent.

The heat and humidity of a Georgia summer can create challenges in terms of home comfort, especially if your air conditioner is not functioning at its optimum. If you find that you are not achieving the energy or comfort results that you want, it might time to shop for a replacement system for your LaGrange, home. As you research your options, system features, size, and price can all impact your decision. Following are some important considerations as you make your selection for a new AC.

Contemporary AC Technology

Some of the most important advances in HVAC design focus on the ability to operate your air conditioner without being overwhelmed by noise. High-end systems offer sound levels of as low as 65 decibels. Additionally, compressors may be blanketed to keep outside noise to a minimum. Additional advanced features that can be beneficial include:

A multi-stage compressor – this allows system activity to be adjusted based on operational needs, offering low and high speeds to adjust airflow and noise levels.
Filter dryer system – important for reducing moisture and particulate damage to interior system components.
Smart thermostat compatibility – there are many wireless thermostat options, but some of the most advanced options are designed to work with specific AC brands and models.

In selecting a new cooling system, you may find that a heat pump is an excellent alternative to an air conditioner. This will provide not only efficient cooling for the summer months but also an affordable heating solution for winter. Consider a hybrid heat pump that would coordinate with your furnace for year-round home comfort.

Budget and Efficiency

Efficient HVAC equipment can make a huge difference in your utility expenses, but the systems with the greatest efficiency levels tend to be the most expensive to install. As you consider a new air conditioner, it is important to keep a balance in mind. You don’t have to select the most expensive system to achieve reliable results in your home, but opting for a system with higher price could provide significant energy savings over the estimated 15-year life of the equipment.

Professional Estimate

Input from your HVAC contractor is crucial for ensuring that your system’s size meets the demands of your home. Contact Airforce Heating & Air today to schedule a free estimate.

A properly functioning air conditioner will deliver energy-efficient performance and comfort when it is correctly sized, installed and maintained in a well-insulated and sealed home. However, a problem in these or other areas can affect the functioning of your HVAC system. One consequence of problems within your HVAC system is an AC that runs constantly. This is cause for concern as it reduces the system’s energy efficiency, and could result in further damage.

How Long is Too Long?

There is no specific length of time in which a system should run as there are several factors that could affect the cycle. In hot, humid weather, you should expect longer AC cycles. Your system should really cycle on to keep the indoor temperature equivalent to the thermostat setting. However, regardless of the temperatures outdoor, if your AC runs constantly, there is cause for concern. Possible reasons include:

Equipment Size – If the unit is too small relative to the amount of space to be heated or cooled it could run longer trying to cool the entire space.
Thermostat Problems – Adjusting the thermostat several degrees higher or lower could cause it to run for a very long time before reaching the setpoint. This often happens for example when you try to get more comfortable temperatures after returning home. Whether you have a manual thermostat or programmable thermostat, be sure that it is set correctly. The thermostat could also be malfunctioning and unable to read the room temperature correctly. A problem with the thermostat’s sensor could cause the air conditioner to cycle constantly.
Inadequate Insulation – If there is not enough insulation or there are problems with the insulation, it could make it more difficult to heat or cool your home, and cause the system to keep running to reach the desired temperatures.
Ductwork Problems – leaky ducts or poor air flow through the ducts will make it difficult for rooms to reach the setpoint.

An AC that runs constantly is bad for your wallet. Contact the experts at Airforce Heating & Air to ensure that you are saving instead of wasting energy. Whether you need routine maintenance or other service , we will ensure your entire HVAC system keeps you comfortable all year long.